Snow Crab Legs, Salmon, Shrimp And Power Tools Stolen In St. Mary’s County Theft Scheme

CALIFORNIA, Md. — A Clinton man was ordered held without bond and a Suitland man was charged as the driver after deputies linked the pair to thefts from Lowe’s and Aldi in California involving power tools, snow crab legs, salmon, shrimp, laundry detergent and toilet paper.

Keon Rondell Mathis, 35, of Clinton, was charged with theft scheme from $1,500 to under $25,000 and two counts of theft from $100 to under $1,500.

Christopher Lamontai Smith, 32, of Suitland, was charged with two counts of theft from $100 to under $1,500. Charging documents also list a traffic citation accusing Smith of attempting to elude police by failing to stop.

According to charging documents, deputies first responded to Lowe’s at 45075 Worth Avenue in California for a reported shoplifting incident involving a man who arrived as a passenger in a black BMW registered to Smith.

A loss prevention manager reported that a man later identified as Mathis entered the store around 11:12 a.m., went to the tool department and selected a DeWalt tool kit that was security-protected and banded.

Charging documents state Mathis pulled out a knife, cut the banding, placed it on the ground and put the merchandise in a shopping cart. He then passed all points of sale and left through the lumber department without paying.

The stolen items from that incident were listed as one Metabo nail gun valued at $479 and one DeWalt four-tool combo set valued at $499, for a total of $978, according to charging documents.

Later the same day, around 1:39 p.m., Mathis was reported entering Lowe’s again and leaving without paying for additional merchandise.

Charging documents state Mathis placed a DeWalt biscuit joiner valued at $279, a 20-volt DeWalt brushless four-tool combo set valued at $499, a brushless cordless drill valued at $99 and an XR Powerback lithium battery pack valued at $339 into a shopping cart before leaving the store.

The total value of that Lowe’s theft was listed at $1,293 in charging documents.

A short time later, deputies responded to Aldi at 44755 Oak Crest Road in California for a theft report.

According to charging documents, a store employee reported seeing Mathis leave Aldi with a shopping cart full of merchandise, bypass all points of sale and load the items into a black BMW before fleeing.

A St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office sergeant later located the BMW and conducted a traffic stop. Charging documents state Smith was driving and Mathis was in the vehicle as a passenger.

Charging documents state the traffic stop was initiated on Mervell Dean Road, but Smith continued driving at a slow speed toward Route 235 before stopping about 0.6 miles later near Reeder Sanders Lane.

Deputies reported finding stolen Aldi merchandise in the trunk, including three packs of bath tissue, seven bottles of Gain laundry detergent, five packs of Argentinian shrimp, six salmon filets and eight packs of snow crab legs. The Aldi merchandise was valued at $524.66, according to charging documents.

Investigators reviewed in-store video footage from Aldi and reported that Mathis entered the store with an empty cart, moved through several aisles, placed the merchandise in the cart and left without paying.

Both men were taken to the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office District Three station in California and interviewed by detectives after being advised of their rights, according to charging documents.

During his interview, Mathis allegedly admitted taking items without paying from Lowe’s and Aldi. Charging documents state he told detectives he sells items taken from businesses and described the food items as crab and salmon.

Mathis allegedly told detectives he had asked Smith for a ride to the store after being picked up in Clinton. Charging documents state Mathis reported that he would pay Smith for gas and his time, but could not provide an exact amount.

Smith allegedly told detectives he was doing his “job” that day, which he described as being a driver for people. Charging documents state Smith denied stealing merchandise and refused to identify who he had been driving for that day, but confirmed he had driven the person before and that June 18 was the second time he had driven him.

Court records show Mathis was ordered held without bond June 19 and again following a bail review hearing June 22 before Judge Robert B. Riddle in St. Mary’s County District Court.

Smith posted a $500 unsecured personal bond June 18.

Trials for both men are set for Aug. 6 in St. Mary’s County District Court.

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